JP5927281B2 - Image erasing device - Google Patents

Description

  Embodiments described herein relate generally to an image erasing apparatus that erases an image formed on a sheet.

  Conventionally, when an image erasing process is performed on an image formed on a sheet such as recording paper by an image erasing device, a mark indicating the number of times of printing is printed in order to prevent jamming due to damage to the sheet. The number of reuses of the same sheet was limited. However, since the printing portion for printing the mark is fixed, there is a possibility that printing is performed anywhere on the front and back and back of the sheet depending on the direction and face of inserting the sheet. For this reason, in order for the user to check the number of times the sheet is reused, the marks printed on the front and back and back of the sheet must be confirmed, which is inconvenient.

JP 2004-198755 A

  A problem to be solved by an embodiment of the present invention is to provide an image erasing apparatus that reduces a burden when a user checks the number of sheet reuses.

The image erasing apparatus according to the embodiment includes a conveyance unit, a reading unit, an erasing unit, a printing unit, and a control unit. The conveyance unit conveys a sheet on which an image is formed along a conveyance path. The reading unit is provided along the conveyance path and reads an image on the conveyed sheet. The erasing unit is provided downstream of the reading unit along the conveyance path, and erases an image on the sheet conveyed through the reading unit. The printing unit prints a mark on a predetermined printing surface of the sheet that has passed through the erasing unit. Wherein the control unit, the reading result of the reading unit, when an existing mark is printed on only one surface of said sheet, setting the surface this existing mark is printed on the printing surface.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the configuration of the image erasing apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a control block diagram of a hardware configuration of the image erasing apparatus shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a mark printing position according to the first embodiment. The figure which shows the other example of the printing position of the mark in 1st Embodiment. The control flowchart in 1st Embodiment. 6 is a flowchart for determining a printing surface and a printing position according to the first embodiment. The figure which shows the printing position of the mark in 2nd Embodiment.

  Embodiments for carrying out the invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6.

The image erasing apparatus performs a color erasing process for erasing the color of an image on a sheet such as a recording sheet on which an image is formed with a color erasable material such as a color erasable toner or a color erasable ink. The erasable color material includes a color developing compound, a color developer, and a color erasing agent. Examples of the color developing compound include leuco dyes. Examples of the developer include phenols. The decolorizer includes a substance that is compatible with the color developing compound when heated and does not have an affinity for the developer. Colors that can be erased develop color due to the interaction between the color developing compound and the developer, and the interaction between the color developing compound and the developer is interrupted by heating above the color erasing temperature. To do. Hereinafter, the erasable color material is simply referred to as a recording material.
(First embodiment)

  The configuration and operation of the image erasing apparatus according to the first embodiment will be described below. The image erasing apparatus of the present embodiment prints a mark at a predetermined position on the sheet so that the reading unit and the user can know the number of times the sheet has been reused.

  FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of an image erasing apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment. As will be described in detail later, the image erasing apparatus 100 has a paper feed tray 110 and a paper feed member 120 provided at the upper part of the apparatus housing, a first transport path 190, and a first branch that branches from the first transport path 190 via a branch point 220. A second transport path 195, a third transport path 200, and a fourth transport path 205 branched from the third transport path 200. These conveyance paths are conveyance paths that selectively convey a sheet according to various processing requests for the sheet. For example, in the present embodiment, the conveyance path of the sheet is configured as a whole. The image erasing apparatus 100 is further provided at the junction point 225 of the first and second transport paths 190 and 195, the first branch member 210 provided at the branch point 220, and the branch point of the third and fourth transport paths 200 and 205. The second branch member 215, the second transport path 215, the third branch member 218 provided at the branch point of the reversing mechanism 160 described later, and the first to fourth transport paths 190, 195, 200, 205 are disposed. And a plurality of conveying rollers 286. The image erasing apparatus 100 has a first tray 165 and a second tray 170, and a first and second trays 165 and 170 provided at the lower part of the apparatus housing, respectively, for storing sheets conveyed by the conveyance path. It has the discharge member 180 provided correspondingly. Further, the image erasing apparatus 100 performs the image erasing of the sheet in the present embodiment, the reading unit 130 disposed in the first conveyance path 190, the erasing unit 150 disposed in the second conveyance path 195, and the reversing mechanism. 160, a printing unit 230 disposed in the third conveyance path 200, and an operation unit 240 provided in the upper part of the apparatus housing.

  The sheet feed tray 110 stacks sheets to be reused. The sheet to be reused is, for example, a sheet on which an image is formed with a recording material. The sheet may be various sizes such as A3, A4, and B5. The sheet feeding member 120 includes a pickup roller, a sheet supply roller, a separation roller disposed to face the sheet supply roller, and the like. The sheet feeding member 120 conveys the sheets on the sheet feeding tray 110 one by one to the first conveyance path 190 inside the image erasing apparatus 100.

  The paper feed tray 110 includes a detection sensor 112 that detects the presence or absence of a sheet on the paper feed tray 110. The detection sensor 112 may be, for example, a microsensor or a microactuator.

  The first transport path 190 has a plurality of transport rollers 286 and forms a transport path from the paper feed tray 110 toward the branch point 220. The first conveyance path 190 conveys the sheet fed via the reading unit 130 to the branch point 220.

  The reading unit 130 is arranged downstream of the junction 225 of the paper feed tray 110 and the second conveyance path 195 along the first conveyance path 190. The reading unit 130 includes, for example, a first reading unit 132a and a second reading unit 132b that are positioned to face each other with the first conveyance path 190 interposed therebetween. The first and second reading units 132a and 132b read the image on the first side and the image on the second side that is the back side of the conveyed sheet. That is, the reading unit 130 reads images on both sides of the sheet conveyed through the first conveyance path 190 by the first and second reading units 132a and 132b.

  The first branch member 210 is disposed at the branch point 220 of the first transport path 190 and the second transport path 195 downstream of the reading unit 130. The first branch member 210 switches the conveyance direction of the sheet that leaves the reading unit 130 and is conveyed to the branch point 220. The first branch member 210 selectively distributes the sheet conveyed on the first conveyance path 190 to the second conveyance path 195 or the third conveyance path 200. For example, the first branching member 210 allows the conveyance of the sheet from the first conveyance path 190 to the third conveyance path 200 in a normal state (non-driving state). On the other hand, in the driving state, the conveyance of the sheet from the first conveyance path 190 to the third conveyance path 200 is blocked. Accordingly, the sheet is conveyed to the second conveyance path 195.

  The second transport path 195 has a plurality of transport rollers 286 and branches off from the first transport path 190 at the branch point 220. Further, the second transport path 195 has a curved portion toward the junction 225 located upstream from the reading unit 130. For this reason, the second conveyance path 195 merges with the first conveyance path 190 at the merge point 225. That is, the first conveyance path 190 and the second conveyance path 195 form a conveyance path that circulates via the branch point 220 and the junction point 225. As described above, the decoloring unit 150 and the reversing mechanism 160 described later are arranged in the second transport path 195. Accordingly, the circulating conveyance path enables the sheet conveyed from the reading unit 130 to be conveyed again to the reading unit 130 via the erasing unit 150. More specifically, the image erasing apparatus 100 according to the present exemplary embodiment guides the sheet supplied from the sheet feeding member 120 to the reading unit 130 via the junction point 225 through the first conveyance path 190, and the reading unit 130 processes the sheet. The first sheet 210 is controlled to guide the sheet to the second conveyance path 195 at the branch point 220, and is conveyed in the order of the reading unit 130 via the decoloring unit 150 and the junction point 225.

  The erasing unit 150 includes, for example, a first erasing unit 152a and a second erasing unit 152b, and both units are arranged to face each other along the second conveyance path 195 as shown in FIG. A decoloring process is performed to erase the colors of the images on both sides of the conveyed sheet. The decoloring unit 150 decolorizes the color of the image formed on the sheet by the recording material, for example, by heating the sheet to the decoloring temperature in contact with the conveyed sheet. The first erasing unit 152a of the erasing unit 150 contacts and heats the sheet from one surface side of the sheet. The second erasing unit 152b contacts and heats the sheet from the other surface side of the sheet. That is, the erasing unit 150 erases the images on both sides of the conveyed sheet with a single conveyance.

  The reversing mechanism 160 is located downstream of the decoloring unit 150 along the second conveyance path 195. The reversing mechanism 160 reverses the sheet according to a printing surface on which a printing unit 230 described later prints a mark. The reversing mechanism 160 of the present embodiment includes an inlet conveyance path 162, an outlet conveyance path 163, a conveyance roller 164, and a sensor (not shown). When the sheet is reversed, the sheet is conveyed from the second conveyance path 195 to the entrance conveyance path 162 branched. When the sheet is conveyed by the conveyance roller 164 and the sensor detects the trailing edge of the sheet, the conveyance roller 164 is rotated in the reverse direction to convey the sheet from the trailing edge to the exit conveyance path 163. The sheets merge into the second conveyance path 195 with the front and back sides reversed.

  The third branch member 218 is disposed at the branch point between the second transport path 190 and the inlet transport path 162 of the reversing mechanism 160 downstream of the decoloring section. The third branching member 218 distributes the sheet that needs to be reversed between the sheets conveyed from the decoloring unit 150 to the reversing mechanism 160. For example, the third branch member 218 prevents the sheet from being conveyed to the reversing mechanism 160 in a normal state (non-driving state). On the other hand, in the driving state, the sheet is conveyed to the reversing member 160.

  The printing unit 230 is disposed along the third conveyance path 200 branched from the branch point 220. The printing unit 230 according to the present embodiment includes, for example, an inkjet head that performs a printing process for printing the number of times of decoloring on a conveyed sheet. The ink jet head ejects ink that is not decolored onto, for example, the first surface of the sheet, and forms a mark indicating the number of decolorations on the sheet surface.

  The third conveyance path 200 shown in FIG. 1 is connected to the first conveyance path 190 via the branch point 220, and conveys the sheet that has passed through the branch point 220 to the second branch member 215. As shown in FIG. 1, the sheet conveyed via the second branching member 215 is accommodated in either the first tray 165 or the second tray 170 that is disposed above and below. For example, the second branch member 215 is disposed in the vicinity of a discharge member 180 (to be described later) of the first tray 165, and the sheet conveyed via the first branch member 210 is transferred to the first tray 165 or the third conveyance path 200. It conveys to the 4th conveyance path 205 connected via the 2nd branch member 215. FIG. For example, in a normal state (non-driven state), the second branch member 215 prevents the sheet from being conveyed from the third conveyance path 200 to the fourth conveyance path 205, and the sheet is discharged to the first tray 165. . On the other hand, in the driving state, conveyance of the sheet from the third conveyance path 200 to the first tray 165 is blocked, and the sheet is conveyed to the fourth conveyance path 205. The fourth conveyance path 205 includes a conveyance roller 286 and conveys the sheet to the second tray 170.

  In more detail, the discharge member 180 is provided on each of the first tray 165 and the second tray 170 that are disposed below the image erasing apparatus 100 in the vertical direction. The discharge member 180 discharges the sheet to the first tray 165 or the second tray 170, respectively. For example, the first tray 165 accommodates a sheet that has been erased and can be reused. The second tray 170 accommodates sheets that are determined to be unusable. Hereinafter, the first tray 165 is referred to as a reuse tray, and the second tray 170 is referred to as a reject tray. In the reuse tray and reject tray, sheets to be received can be exchanged. The setting of what sheets each tray accommodates, that is, the setting of the sheet transport destination can be made from the operation unit 240, for example.

  The image erasing apparatus 100 includes a plurality of sheet detection sensors that detect sheets conveyed through the first to fourth conveyance paths 190, 195, 200, and 205. The sheet detection sensor may be, for example, a microsensor or a microactuator. The sheet detection sensor is disposed at an appropriate position on the conveyance path.

  The operation unit 240 has, for example, a touch panel type display unit and various operation keys, and is disposed on the upper portion of the image erasing apparatus 100 main body. The operation keys include, for example, a numeric keypad, a stop key, and a start key. The user instructs a functional operation of the image erasing apparatus 100 such as start of the erasing process or reading of an image of a sheet to be erased via the operation unit 240. The operation unit 240 displays setting information, operation status, log information, and the like of the image erasing apparatus 100.

  The operation unit 240 may be configured to be connected to an operation device of an external device via a network and to be operated from the external operation device, for example. Alternatively, the operation unit 240 may be configured to operate the image erasing apparatus 100 by wired or wireless communication in a form independent of the image erasing apparatus 100 main body. That is, the operation unit 240 according to the present embodiment may be any unit that can instruct the image erasing apparatus 100 to perform processing, browse information, and the like.

  Hereinafter, control of the image erasing apparatus 100 having the above-described configuration will be described.

  FIG. 2 is a control block diagram of the hardware configuration of the image erasing apparatus 100 shown in FIG. The image erasing apparatus 100 includes a reading unit 130, a decoloring unit 150, a printing unit 230, an operation unit 240, a control unit 250, a storage unit 260, a detection unit 270, a conveyance unit 280, and a communication interface (I / F) unit 290. Have. Each unit of the image erasing apparatus 100 is connected via a bus line 300.

  The control unit 250 includes a processor 252 including a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or an MPU (Micro Processing Unit) and a memory 254. The memory 254 is, for example, a semiconductor memory, and includes a ROM (Read Only Memory) 256 that stores various control programs and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 258 that provides a temporary work area to the processor 252. For example, the ROM 256 stores a sheet printing rate as a threshold value for whether or not reuse is possible, a density threshold value for determining whether or not an image has been erased, and the like. The RAM 258 may temporarily store the image read by the reading unit 130. The control unit 250 controls each unit of the image erasing apparatus 100 based on various programs stored in the ROM 256 or the storage unit 260.

  The storage unit 260 stores the image read by the reading unit 130. The storage unit 260 may be, for example, a hard disk drive, another magnetic storage device, an optical storage device, a semiconductor storage device such as a flash memory, or any combination thereof. For example, before the color erasing unit 150 performs the color erasing process, the control unit 250 saves the sheet image read by the reading unit 130 in the storage unit 260, so that data of an image that has been erased later is required. In this case, image data can be acquired.

  The detection unit 270 includes the detection sensor 112 illustrated in FIG. 1 and a sheet detection sensor (not shown) that detects a sheet conveyed in each of the conveyance paths described above. The control unit 250 determines the presence / absence of a sheet on the paper feed tray 110 and the presence / absence of a jam based on a signal from the detection sensor 112.

  The conveyance unit 280 includes first to fourth conveyance paths 190, 195, 200, and 205 shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of conveyance rollers 286 disposed in the conveyance path, a discharge member 180, and a plurality of rollers that drive these rollers. It has a transport motor.

  The communication I / F unit 290 is an interface connected to an external device. The communication I / F unit 290 is, for example, an external device on the network via an appropriate wireless or wired connection such as IEEE 802.15, IEEE 802.11, IEEE 802.3, IEEE 3304 such as Bluetooth (registered trademark), infrared connection, or optical connection. Communicate with. The communication I / F unit 290 may further include a USB connection unit to which a USB standard connection terminal is connected, a parallel interface, and the like. The control unit 250 communicates with the multifunction peripheral and other external devices via the communication I / F unit 290. Note that the reading unit 130, the decoloring unit 150, the printing unit 230, and the operation unit 240 have already been described, and thus description thereof is omitted.

  Below, each process which the image erasing apparatus 100 of this embodiment performs is demonstrated.

For example, the image erasing apparatus 100 has the following processing modes. The above-described sheet conveyance path is appropriately changed by controlling the first or second branch member 210 or 215 based on each processing mode executed by the image erasing apparatus 100. In the separation process referred to below, the control unit 250 determines whether or not the sheet can be reused based on the image indicating the surface state of the sheet read by the reading unit 130, and the reuse tray 165 is determined according to the determination result. Alternatively, it is a process of selectively distributing to the reject tray 170. The saving process is a process of saving the image on the sheet read by the reading unit 130 in the storage unit 260. The details of the sorting process and the saving process will be described later.
(1) First erasing mode: Only the erasing process is performed without performing the saving process.
(2) Second erasing mode: The erasing process is performed after the storage process.
(3) Third color erasing mode: The storage process is not performed, and the classification process is performed after the color erasing process.
(4) Fourth erasing mode: After the storage process, the erasing process is performed, and the separation process is further performed.
(5) Fifth erasing mode: After separation processing, erasing processing is performed as necessary, and further separation processing is performed.
(6) Reading mode: The storage process is performed without performing the decoloring process.
Each processing mode described above can be selected by the operation unit 240 of the image erasing apparatus 100. The selection of each processing mode is not limited to the operation unit 240 of the image erasing apparatus 100 but may be set from an external terminal. In the first to fifth erasing modes, the sheet is always conveyed to the erasing unit 150. On the other hand, in the reading mode, the image erasing apparatus 100 does not convey the sheet conveyed through the first conveyance path 190 to the erasing unit 150 via the second conveyance path 195, but from the reading unit 130 to the branch point 220 and The paper is discharged via the third conveyance path 200. In this case, as described above, the first branch member 210 is in a non-driven state, and the first transport path 190 and the third transport path 200 are in a connected state.

  For example, the control unit 250 controls the reading unit 130, the decoloring unit 150, and other configurations in accordance with the above-described processing modes set by the operation unit 240. For example, when the first to fifth erasing modes are selected, the control unit 250 causes the erasing unit 150 to erase the sheet image.

  When the erasing unit 150 erases the sheet image and the reading unit 130 reads the erased sheet image (third erasing mode, fourth erasing mode, and fifth erasing mode), control is performed. Based on the image data read by the reading unit 130, the unit 250 determines whether or not the sheet can be reused based on the presence or absence of shadows due to folds, tears, or wrinkles of the sheet, and the ratio of the remaining unerased. . Based on the determination result, the control unit 250 determines the sheet transport destination as the reuse tray 165 or the reject tray 170 (sorting process).

  In the first separation process in the fifth color erasing mode, the control unit 250 determines whether there is a shadow due to a fold, tear, or wrinkle of the sheet based on the image data read by the reading unit 130 and prints. It is determined whether the sheet can be reused based on the rate. Based on the determination result, the control unit 250 determines the sheet transport destination to be the erasing unit 150 or the reject tray 170. Further, this separation process may also serve as a storage process to be described later. That is, the control unit 250 determines whether or not the image can be reused based on the read image and stores the image in the storage unit 260.

  On the other hand, when the reading unit 130 reads the image of the sheet before the sheet is conveyed to the erasing unit 150 (second erasing mode, fourth erasing mode), the control unit 250 reads the image on the reading unit 130. The image is saved in the storage unit 260 (save process). Here, the control unit 250 may determine whether or not the image data of the sheet read by the reading unit 130 includes prohibited data that should be prohibited from being decolored such as confidential data.

  When the reading mode for reading the sheet image without performing the decoloring process is set, the reading unit 130 reads the sheet image and stores the read image in the storage unit 260 (save processing). The control unit 250 does not drive the first branching member 210, and therefore, the sheet that has been read is not conveyed to the erasing unit 150, and is discharged to the reject tray 170 by controlling the second branching member 215. In this reading mode, the control unit 250 may perform not only the storage process but also the classification process or both the storage process and the classification process. That is, the control unit 250 reads the image of the sheet in the reading mode, stores the read image in the storage unit 260, and determines, for example, whether or not the sheet can be reused based on the image. The sheets may be sorted into the reuse tray 165 or the reject tray 170.

  Next, a mark reading process by the reading unit 130 will be described. The reading unit 130 according to the present embodiment reads the front and back surfaces of the sheet with the first reading unit 132a and the second reading unit 132b. The controller 250 checks the marks printed on the upper left, upper right, lower left, and lower right of the images read by the first and second reading units 132a and 132b, respectively. This is because it is conceivable that the user inserts the sheets in the opposite direction in the front-rear direction, or inserts them upside down. The control unit 250 counts the total number of marks printed on the sheet, and determines the printing surface and printing position of the mark printed by the printing unit 230 based on the printing position and counting result of the mark.

  Next, the printing process of the printing unit 230 will be described. In the image erasing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment, a mark is printed at a predetermined position of a sheet that can be reused by an inkjet head. By printing the mark, the reading unit 130 or the user can know the number of times the sheet is reused. Note that the sheet is repeatedly decolored to accumulate heat damage and easily jam. For this reason, the image erasing apparatus 100 of the present embodiment limits the number of reuses of the same sheet. The upper limit of the number of reusable times is, for example, 5 times. This upper limit value is an example and can be arbitrarily set.

  The ink jet head of the present embodiment has, for example, three nozzles along a width direction (hereinafter simply referred to as a width direction) orthogonal to the sheet conveyance direction. The ink ejected from the nozzle is different from the erasable toner and cannot be erased by the first and second erasing units 152a and 152b. The ink color is, for example, red. The color of the ink is not limited to red ink as long as the color can be recognized by the reading unit 130 and the eyes. It is also possible to use black or other colors.

  The printing unit 230 prints a mark at a predetermined position every time the sheet passes the decoloring unit 150. The mark printed in this embodiment is, for example, a rectangle of 3 nozzles × 5 drops. Since the mark is printed every time the sheet passes through the decoloring section 150, in the present embodiment, the number of printed marks indicates the number of times the sheet is reused.

  The mark printed by the printing unit 230 is printed at the end in the width direction of the sheet. The erasable toner image is not printed up to the edge of the sheet, and a margin area is formed at the edge of the sheet where a toner image is not formed with a predetermined width. The ink jet head prints a mark in the margin area. The ink jet head is fixed to the image erasing apparatus 100 so that the mark is printed within a predetermined width of the sheet edge. In the present embodiment, the ink jet head is positioned so as to print a mark in a blank area located on the left side when the user views the sheet. That is, the left margin of the sheet is a printable area of the inkjet head.

Next, a specific print position of the mark will be described. The first mark printed after the first decoloring process prints the mark at a position 10 mm away from the leading edge in the sheet conveying direction (hereinafter simply referred to as the conveying direction) and 2 mm away from the edge in the width direction of the sheet. . The second and subsequent marks are printed at a position closest to a mark that has already been printed (hereinafter referred to as an existing mark) in an area that can be printed by a fixed inkjet head. Here, the closest position will be specifically described with reference to FIGS. The white rectangle in the figure indicates the print position of the existing mark, and the rectangle filled with black indicates the print position of the mark to be newly printed. An arrow indicates the sheet conveyance direction.
(1) When an existing mark is printed in the left margin at the leading edge of the sheet, that is, the sheet feeding direction when the existing mark is printed is the same as the current sheet feeding direction. In this case, the printing unit 130 performs printing at a position further advanced by 10 mm from the existing mark in the transport direction (see FIG. 3).
(2) When the existing mark is printed in the right margin at the rear end of the sheet, that is, the sheet feeding direction when the existing mark is printed and the current sheet feeding direction are reversed. If there is, a new mark is printed in the left margin at the rear end (see FIG. 4A).

  When (1) and (2) are mixed, that is, when an existing mark is printed on both the left side and the right side of the leading edge of the sheet, it is printed on the left side of the leading edge according to (1). Next, the existing marks are sequentially marked (see FIG. 4B). By performing the above processing, a plurality of marks are printed at positions close to each other, which makes it easy for the user to count.

Next, a printing surface on which marks are printed will be described. In the case of a sheet on which an existing mark is not printed, the mark printing surface may be a surface facing the inkjet head when it is conveyed to the printing unit 230. In the case of a sheet on which an existing mark is printed, the mark printing surface is determined according to the following rules.
(A) When the existing mark is printed only on one side, the control unit 250 sets the side on which the existing mark is printed as the printing side.
(B) When the existing marks are printed on both sides, the control unit 250 sets the side having the large number of existing marks printed on both sides of the sheet as the printing side. If the number of marks printed on both sides is the same, either side may be printed. For example, it is preferable to set the surface (first surface) on which the sheet conveyed to the printing unit 230 without going through the reversing mechanism 160 faces the inkjet head as the printing surface.

  Hereinafter, a control flow relating to image erasure and mark printing will be described. In the present embodiment, the second erasing mode (the erasing process is performed after the saving process) will be described as an example. FIG. 5 is a control flowchart of the present embodiment.

When the user selects the second erasing mode, the control unit 250 drives the pickup roller of the paper feeding member 120 and feeds the sheet placed on the paper feeding tray 110. The controller 250 conveys the fed sheet to the first conveyance path 190 by the conveyance roller 286 (ACT 101). Next, the control unit 250 performs processing for saving the image on the sheet (ACT 102). In the reading unit 130, the first and second reading units 132 a and 132 b read the images on both sides of the sheet, and store the read images in the storage unit 260. Next, the control unit 250 determines whether or not the number of sheet reuses exceeds 5 that is the upper limit of the number of reuses (ACT 103). That is, when the number of marks is six (ACT 103, Yes), the sheet passes through the first branch member 210 (non-drive) and the second branch member 215 (drive), and the third and fourth transport paths 200, 205. And discharged to the reject tray 170 (ACT 104). On the other hand, when the number of marks is 5 or less (ACT 103, No), the control unit 250 shifts to a flow for determining the printing surface / printing position (see FIG. 6).

In the print surface / print position determination flow shown in FIG. 6, the control unit 250 confirms the mark from the read image, and determines the print surface and print position of the mark to be printed by the print unit 230. First, the controller 250 determines whether an existing mark is printed on the conveyed sheet (ACT 201). That is, it is determined whether the sheet is subjected to the first erasing process or the second and subsequent erasing processes. When the first erasing process is performed (no existing mark) (ACT 201, No), the printing surface is set to the first surface (ACT 202), and the printing position is set to the left side of the leading end (ACT 208). On the other hand, when the second and subsequent erasing processes are performed (there is an existing mark) (ACT 201, Yes), it is determined whether the existing mark is printed on one side or both sides (ACT 203). When printing is performed on one side (ACT 203, Yes), it is determined whether printing is performed on the first side or the second side of the sheet (ACT 204). When an existing mark is printed on the first surface (ACT 204, Yes), the print surface is set as the first surface (ACT 205). On the other hand, when an existing mark is printed on the second surface (ACT 204, No), the printing surface is set to the second surface (ACT 206). When the existing marks are printed on both surfaces (ACT 203, No), the control unit 250 determines which of the first surface and the second surface has more marks printed (ACT 207). If the number of marks printed on the second surface is less than or equal to the number of marks printed on the first surface (ACT 207, Yes), the printing surface is set as the first surface (ACT 205). That is, the surface of the sheet conveyed without passing through the reversing mechanism 160 is set as the print surface. On the other hand, when the number of marks printed on the first surface is equal to or smaller than the number of marks printed on the second surface (ACT 207, No), the printing surface is set to the second surface (ACT 206). When the printing surface on which the mark is printed is determined by the above processing, the printing position is determined next. When an existing mark is printed on the left side of the leading end on the determined printing surface (ACT 207, Yes), a position following the existing mark is set as a printing position (ACT 208). On the other hand, when the existing mark is not printed on the left side of the front end (ACT 207, No), that is, when the mark is printed on the right side of the rear end by inserting the sheet in the opposite direction, the left side of the rear end Is set as the print position (ACT 209). When the printing surface and printing position are determined, the control unit 250 transitions to the control flow again (see FIG. 5).

  The controller 250 conveys the sheet that has undergone the storage process to the second conveyance path 195. The controller 250 conveys the sheet from the first conveyance path 190 to the second conveyance path 195 by driving the first branch member 210. The control unit 250 performs a decoloring process on the sheet conveyed to the second conveyance path 195 via the decoloring unit 150 (ACT 105). The control unit 250 conveys the sheet that has been subjected to the decoloring process from the second conveyance path 195 to the first conveyance path 190 via the junction 225. At this time, when the printing surface is set to the second surface (ACT 106, Yes), the sheet is reversed via the reversing mechanism 160 and then conveyed to the first conveying path 190 (ACT 107). The control unit 250 controls the first branch member 210 and conveys the sheet conveyed to the first conveyance path 190 to the printing unit 230 on the third conveyance path 200.

  The control unit 250 performs mark printing processing by the printing unit 230 on the set printing surface and printing position on the conveyed sheet (ACT 108). The controller 250 discharges the sheet that has undergone the printing process to the reuse tray 165 (ACT 109).

  According to the first embodiment described above, the user can easily check the number of sheet reuses by controlling the printing surface and printing position of the mark printed by the printing unit.

The shape of the mark is illustrated as a rectangle. The shape of the mark is not limited to a square, and any shape can be selected as long as it indicates the number of times of erasure by the user.
(Second Embodiment)

  The image erasing apparatus according to the second embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS. The image erasing apparatus according to the present embodiment is different from the image erasing apparatus according to the first embodiment in the shape of marks printed by the printing unit 230. The mark used in the present embodiment has a shape in which the number of reuses can be recognized with one mark. That is, it is a shape that can represent a numerical value with a single mark. The mark may be, for example, Roman numerals (hereinafter simply referred to as numerals), Greek numerals, positive characters, lines arranged as many as the number of reuses, or a figure or symbol assigned according to the number of reuses. In the following description, a number will be described as an example.

  The image erasing apparatus of this embodiment prints a mark on a sheet according to the same flow as that of the first embodiment. The printing unit 230 prints a number indicating the number of reuses on a predetermined printing surface and printing position by independently controlling each nozzle of the inkjet head in accordance with an instruction from the control unit 250 (see FIG. 7A). ).

  In addition, when the printing unit 230 prints a number indicating the number of reuses, if an existing number is printed in an area where the inkjet head can print, in order to reduce the visibility of the existing number, The unit 230 may overwrite another print on the existing number. For example, the printing unit paints an existing number in a rectangle. In addition, the printing unit may change the existing number into a rectangle by filling in the blank part of the existing number. Thereby, the latest numerical information can be made clearer (see FIG. 7B).

  According to the above-described second embodiment, numerical information indicating the number of reuses is printed on the sheet, so that the user can intuitively reuse without counting the number of multiple marks printed on the sheet. It is possible to recognize the number of times. In addition, when a new numerical information mark is printed, the visibility of the latest numerical information can be further improved by painting an existing mark into, for example, a rectangle.

  In each of the above embodiments, an inkjet head is used as the printing unit. As an ink jet head, a piezoelectric head that changes the volume of an ink pressure chamber by a piezoelectric actuator and ejects ink droplets from nozzles communicating with the pressure chamber, and a heating element provided in the ink pressure chamber heats the ink. A thermal ink jet method can be used in which bubbles are generated and ink droplets are ejected from nozzles communicating with the pressure chamber by the bubbles. The printing means is not limited to the ink jet head, and a wire dot printer head, a thermal print head, and an electrophotographic system can also be applied.

  In addition, it is possible to perform the mark printing process on the second surface of the sheet by conveying the reversing mechanism provided in the second conveying path, but the reversing mechanism is not limited to the second conveying path. If it is upstream from the printing unit, for example, it may be provided on the first transport path. Further, for example, an ink jet head may be provided on the second surface side without providing the reversing mechanism.

  Note that the timing of transition to the print surface / print position determination flow is not limited to the timing described in the above embodiment. The printing surface and the printing position may be determined after the reading unit reads the sheet and before the sheet is conveyed to the printing unit through the decoloring unit.

  In the description of each of the embodiments described above, “decoloring process” is described as erasing the color of the image, but may include the meaning of erasing the image. That is, the image erasing apparatus described in the present embodiment is not limited to an apparatus that erases the color of an image by heat. For example, a device that erases the color of an image on a sheet by light irradiation or a device that erases an image formed on a special sheet may be used. Alternatively, the image erasing apparatus may be an apparatus that removes (erases) an image on a sheet. The image erasing device may be configured so as to make the image on the sheet invisible so that the sheet can be reused.

  Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. These embodiments and modifications thereof are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the invention described in the claims and the equivalents thereof.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 ... Image erasing apparatus 130 ... Reading part 150 ... Decoloring part 160 ... Inversion mechanism 190 ... 1st conveyance path 195 ... 2nd conveyance path 200 ... 3rd conveyance path 230 ... Printing part 250 ... Control part 280 ... Conveyance part

Claims (4)

A transport unit that transports a sheet on which an image is formed along a transport path;
A reading unit that is provided along the conveyance path and reads an image on the conveyed sheet;
An erasing unit that is provided downstream of the reading unit along the conveyance path and erases an image on the sheet conveyed through the reading unit;
A printing unit for printing a mark on a predetermined printing surface of the sheet that has passed through the erasing unit;
According to the reading result of the reading unit, when an existing mark is printed only on one side of the sheet, a control unit that sets the surface on which the existing mark is printed as the printing surface;
An image erasing apparatus comprising: A transport unit that transports a sheet on which an image is formed along a transport path;
A reading unit that is provided along the conveyance path and reads an image on the conveyed sheet;
An erasing unit that is provided downstream of the reading unit along the conveyance path and erases an image on the sheet conveyed through the reading unit;
A printing unit for printing a mark on a predetermined printing surface of the sheet that has passed through the erasing unit;
When an existing mark is printed on both sides of the sheet according to the reading result of the reading unit, a control unit that sets the surface on which many of the existing marks are printed as the printing surface;
An image erasing apparatus comprising: The image erasing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the mark is a mark indicating the number of times the sheet is reused . A reversing mechanism for reversing the sheet on the conveying path;
The image erasing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the reversing mechanism performs reversal of the sheet according to a printing surface determined by the control unit .

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